Separation Anxiety
What is separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety occurs when your child does not want to leave the safety of their parent’s home or be physically separated from their parents or carers. This can occur for many reasons and is a scary time for the child and can be worrying for parents as well.
toddler anxiety.
Separation anxiety can occur at any time and present itself in a number of ways, including:
- Refusing to go outside
- Tummy aches and other physical problems
- Panic or tantrums when faced with being separated from parents
- Being over clingy
- Sleeping problems or nightmares.
Most children will go through phases of being anxious as they face new situations and scenarios they are not familiar with. These phases are generally harmless and will clear up with a bit of love and parental support.
However, it is important to help your toddler to over come anxiety whilst they are still young as it can lead to greater problems later on in life, for example:
- Panic and anxiety disorders
- Social isolation
- Educational difficulties
- Communicational difficulties.
Helping your toddler to overcome separation anxiety
by improving your toddlers confidence.
As a parent you play a critical role in helping to teach your toddler how to handle their anxiety. Teaching your toddler to understand and conquer anxiety now means that you are helping them avoid greater problems later in life and you are teaching your toddler not to run away from their fears and problems.
- Listen to how your toddler feels
- Remain calm when your toddler becomes anxious
- Praise even the smallest of accomplishments
- Don’t worry of punish your toddler if they are not progressing as quickly as you would like them to
- Maintain a normal routine so your toddler knows what to expect
- Tell your toddler what is happening before it happens. For example tell your toddler that in ten minutes you will get them ready and you will be taking them to a mother toddler group. This will help your toddler to prepare for what is coming.
There are many different techniques that can help your toddler overcome specific anxiety problems. Have a look at the invisible sunglasses technique to help your toddler over come anxiety around certain people.
Helping your toddler to improve their confidence can also really help your toddler overcome their anxiety problems. Have a look at positive reinforcement during the terrible twos for more information on increasing your toddlers confidence and boosting self image.
If your toddler is having trouble sleeping in their own bed because they don't like to be away from you, have a look at how to get toddlers with seperation anxiety to sleep in their own bed.
